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Marvelous Explorations Through Science and Stories: MESS is a science-centered early childhood curriculum enhancement. Each unit includes field-tested science experiences, suggestions for ways to integrate each topic across the curriculum, lists of recommended books and science materials, and ideas for involving families in children’s learning at home and in other settings.

Show the children the collection of seeds. Encourage the children to think about what these small things might be:

Have you ever seen things like these before?

What are they?

Where do we find them?

Tell the children the names of the seeds that you are familiar with. Explain that if the seeds are buried in the ground and provided water, and the temperature is right, they will grow to be plants. Talk about how people sometimes plant seeds, but that seeds in the natural world are spread by the wind and moved around by animals such as squirrels and birds.

Marvelous Explorations Through Science and Stories: MESS is a science-centered early childhood curriculum enhancement. Each unit includes field-tested science experiences, suggestions for ways to integrate each topic across the curriculum, lists of recommended books and science materials, and ideas for involving families in children’s learning at home and in other settings.

Experience 2: Colors in Nature

Aim

Materials

Science Concept

Things can be described, compared, and classified on the basis of their characteristics.

Vocabulary

names of colors (e.g., green, brown)

dark,light

Activities

Show the children the color chips and help them identify the colors.
Explain that you are going to go on a nature walk outdoors to look for things that match the colors on the chips. Review your nature rules.

During Science Circle distribute one color chip to each child. Go to the outdoor play area.Have the children search for plants, animals, and other items that match the color on their chip.

Collect items in paper bags, specimen viewers. Photograph items that are out of reach or best left undisturbed.

Extension

Make “chips” or samples of shapes or patterns (e.g., stripes, spots, diamond shapes). Have the children search and sort patterns in nature.

Science Center

Place an assortment of natural objects in the science area along with the color chips. Have the children sort the objects according to color.

Marvelous Explorations Through Science and Stories: MESS is a science-centered early childhood curriculum enhancement. Each unit includes field-tested science experiences, suggestions for ways to integrate each topic across the curriculum, lists of recommended books and science materials, and ideas for involving families in children’s learning at home and in other settings.